Danny’s pocket guide around Sabi Sabi Lodges
on Mar 14, 2023At Sabi Sabi it is not just about the big animals that you will see on a game drive, but also the smaller creatures you might miss while you are driving around. Walking around the lodges, you can see different types of little creatures scurrying around. From terrapins and tortoises, snails and skinks, to the elusive bushbaby running across the roofs. There is so much wildlife right on your doorstep!
With this pocket guide you can now confidently walk around the lodges searching for animals you might find.
Terrapins can be found in any freshwater body source. Have a look around the ponds and water features around the lodge to see if you can spot them either sunbathing on the side, or just their noses peeking out from the water. One of the terrapins that you would normally see around is the Marsh terrapin. This terrapin is typically smaller than most terrapins. They are omnivores and will eat almost anything!
Coming for teatime in the afternoon, there are a few extra visitors wanting to join for a cup of tea. Waiting for a chance to help themselves, Vervet monkeys wait to see if today will be the day will be they get lucky and have some delicious bites the chefs have prepared.
Be on the lookout for a flash of bright green in the light of your torch when you walk back to your room. Flap-necked Chameleons are diurnal reptiles, and will mostly sleep at night, but spotting them at night is so much easier! In the daylight they successfully camouflage into their surroundings to stay hidden from their prey and predator species. At nighttime the pigment cells that absorb the light relax, so when you shine a torch on them, the skin reflects the light resulting in a bright green colour.
At any time of day while walking around the lodges, you can see different types of lizards scurrying around the pathways. Ones with bright blue or orange-coloured tails, small ones, and big ones. The one that usually catches your eye is the Rainbow Skink. The juveniles and sub-adult males have electric-blue tails and can often be seen running around on exposed granite and other rock surfaces, feeding on insects. The adult males are dark olive-brown with a yellowish to orange-brown tail, and the females retain their colouring but the stripes can become very faint.
The Giant African Land Snail is always a delightful surprise to see. They are one of the largest terrestrial gastropods and thrive where the climate is hot and humid, making Sabi Sabi the perfect home for them. Feeding on both live and dead plant material, they can feed on more than 500 different plant species! When at Sabi Sabi you will wish for the appetite of a Giant African Land Snail to be able to taste all the delicious food being prepared!
One of the friendlier slithery friends that you can find around the lodge is the Eastern Natal Green Snake. Often confused with the Boomslang and Green Mamba, this snake is harmless. They do not possess any fangs or venom but have a few very sharp teeth that they use to catch frogs and geckos. Be on the lookout for them high up in trees. Note: Do not handle any snakes found at Sabi Sabi, rather call for help.
The Southern White-faced Owl is one of my favourite owls to spot around the lodge. Recognised by their beautiful orange eyes and white disked face, you can find them at nighttime, so keep an eye out for them while you walk back to your room after dinner.
There is plenty to see and enjoy within the lodge grounds, so next time you visit us, let us know what you spotted!
Blog by Daniel Greyvenstein (Bush Lodge Ranger)
